WE are the EBBO

I am increasingly disturbed by the failure of too many Ifa Devotees, as well as

Ifa priests, to see how their unexamined adoption of the Western Worldview
has distorted their practice and perceptions of this ancient philosophy.

What makes it even more problematical to me is that the attacks on the Ifa
Foundation, from a small sect of so called Traditionalists, are based on their
use of the very principals they supposedly reject. Western principals.. Their
objections to the concept of American Ifa are that we are turning away from
"traditional practices." By this they mean that we have not used
the exact words, ingredients or order that they consider correct. They fail to
perceive that this fixed concept of correct is a totally Western concept!

It was our initial observation, more than a quarter of a century ago, that these
brilliant ancient observations lost much of their effectiveness when utilizing
them as if the world still functioned as it did hundreds, or thousands, of years
ago, but quickly regained their original power when understood in relationship
with today's culture, technology, political and social realities. The analogy we
have used is that it would be somewhat senseless to buy a new car and then
attempt to look for the hand crank to start it simply because that's how your
Grandfather started his! Some have mistaken this approach as a lack of
respect for tradition rather than seeing it as the exact same approach that Ifa
used when, as an oral tradition, the changes in the world were
automatically incorporated into the telling of tales. Only when the West's
love affair with " the word", both as a written reality and as a philosophical
absolute, came into play did Ifa begin to become frozen in time...begin to
watch the cars others were starting by simply turning the ignition sweep past
them while they sought the hand crank that had become "the word." They had
forgotten the most basic truth of the tradition: the "car, as a means of
transportation, was the truth. How you started it, and the features that
improved it, would constantly change." The Beauty and the Power of Ifa is
that Orisa Energy adapts to these changes while working with the
genuine Truths of Love, Heath, Success & Character within the current
reality.

They have even gone so far as to adopt the Western supremacist view within
the philosophy. Ifa, which never had a Pope or governing council, is suddenly
faced with a number of small sects who wish to take control of the thinking
and behavior within the philosophy.

IFA FOUNDATION www.IFAFOUNDATION.ORG

One of the most brilliant, talented and thoughtful Orisa Devotees I have ever
known is Susanne Wenger (Aduni Olorisa). Wenger's life and art is an
unremitting battle against the trivialization of African Culture. Her statement: "
Do not even try and imitate the past, but do not lose your connection
with it," is the essence of the driving energy at the Ifa Foundation. Finally,
Wenger reflects: " We only willingly and without any self-centered
corrections,allow the current of ever new and inventive creation, its ever
changing moods and forms, to take hold of us and carry us along." Such
is the real view of Orisa, not the Westernized hubris and pomposity of those
whom seek power and control of the uncontrollable.

Within that view it is our lives that reflect Orisa. Those lived with good
character, understanding of our relationship to our family, community and the
world we live in, as well as with love and respect for the
Creators entire creation, become living Ebbo! For the vibrations that eminate
from these lives will seamlessly integrate with the vibrations of the Orisa to
bring strength and harmony to the planet as well as ourselves.

Ewe nla' ki pada ru wewe

Awon olosi ko ni I to wa

Pele-pele,ka ma ba won ja

Ka ma baa bawo Orisa je tan yaan-yaan!

Ore rerun rerun buru ju ota lo,

A o ni I raburu-ase!

Ka ma fimo sin mo je

TOjo tEerun

Kin-kin lomi tutu fun loju orun

Eni tj ko fe-ran irunmole

Ko fe ran araa re

Aimoyii toni lajmoyii tola

La ija ni a o segun ota

IFA FOUNDATION www.IFAFOUNDATION.ORG
 Ase! Ase! Ase!

La ija aaja you segun ota

Blessings,

Oluwo Philip Neimark

Please Contact Us At

iyav.ifafoundation@gmail.com

1-800-906-4322 or text to 386-214-6489

IFA FOUNDATION www.IFAFOUNDATION.ORG